A MacGuffin (a.k.a. McGuffin or maguffin) is a term for a motivating element in a story that is used to drive the plot. It serves no further purpose. It won’t pop up again later, it won’t explain the ending, it won’t do anything except possibly distract you while you try to figure out its significance. In some cases, it won’t even be shown. It is usually a mysterious package/artifact/superweapon that everyone in the story is chasing.

And now you wanna know about Plot Devices? Come on bud, you’re bustin’ my chops here. You’re a writer, aren’t you? Oh, you’re new at this? Well, from the link:

A plot device is an object or character in the story whose purpose is purely to drive the Plot, maintain its flow, or resolve situations within it. It could be something everybody wants to obtain, a device that must be destroyed, or an annoying teenager who must be protected at all costs. It may also be an object or gadget introduced early in the story for the sole purpose of solving a sticky situation later on.

So come on, man, you know you have a few shoved to the back of your closet, that idea you really still kinda like but will never touch again.

Got a great idea for a powerful device? A magical gem? A mysterious package? The last member of a dying race or the first member of a new one?

Whatever you’ve got stored, we got a lot of new authors looking for ideas to adopt. Jusat a little donation, man. We’ll find them a good home, promise.

A contribution here, from the concept I’m working on for this year (2019). The MacGuffin is Earth, which is an island of (comparative) peace in a Galaxy torn by conflict after the fall of a great Empire. To save Earth, the hero must ensure the MacGuffin is never found.